Explore Jammu Province

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• Jammu District
• Doda District
• Kishtwar District
• Rajouri District
• Poonch District
• Reasi District
• Udhampur District
• Ramban District
• Kathua District
• Samba District

See Jammu Pilgrimages

Getting There

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Where to Stay:-

A number of Hotels & Guest Houses are available in Kishtwar Town suiting every ones Budget. Where as in peripheral valleys Guest Houses and Home stay is available for Tourists.

People, Culture and Lifestyle in Kishtwar

People in Kishtwar:

Kishtwar is home to people of diverse ethnic origins, ranging from Paharis, Kashmiri, Gujjar, Gaddi & Buddhists. The People are mostly Pleasant class in rural areas areas growing wheat, millet, rice, maize, vegitables, rajma, potato & fruits. The people of Mandal area (Villages near to Town) are Saffron growers, where as, in Cities mostly employed & business class people are residing. People speak languages of Kashmiri or Koshur , Urdu, Kishtwari, Hindi, Balti, Paddri, Pahari and Gojjri.

Culture & Life style in Kishtwar:

The culture and lifestyles of the people is simple with little diversity. Nomads settled here and have brought their traditional practices along with them. The culture exhibits distinct lines of demarcation as well as areas where influences merge and people today have developed tolerance as well as acceptance of Islam ,Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist philosophies.

Modernity is making inroads into the traditional practices and lifestyles of people especially youngsters. However, a walk through older portions and a visit to places not so open to modern values can get you glimpses to age old practices and traditions. A typical way of lifestyle is farming and raising their domestic animals.

The Gaddi & Bakarwals, a nomadic tribe, for instance, still follow age old practice of walking their herd of sheep from one pasture to the other, covering a distance more than 400 kilometers on foot each year.

Cuisine:

The town of Kishtwar serves up traditional Kashmiri & Jammu cuisine at its best. There are some restaurants which serve Chinese and North Indian Food both Vegetarian & Non- Vegetarian. There is a lot of use of fresh spices like cinnamon, saffron, cloves and cardamom (Kishtwar is known for its Saffron fields) so the food here has a rich aromatic flavor. If you want to opt for Kashmiri vegetarian dishes then try out Aloo in yoghurt, Lotus root curry, fried paneer in red sauce etc. In non vegetarian dishes (served only in a few restaurants) you will find Rogan Josht (tender leg of lamb), Rista, Yakhni , Tabak Maz and Chicken preparations. Kishtwar is famous for Local Rajma and rice, Gucchi Pulaow, Anar danay ki Chutney, Sticky white Meetha Bhaat and Kasrod. There are few traditional dishes like Bhothray (Khamera) & Sabzi, Makki ki Roti & Sagg and Namkeen Chai with local Kulcha.

• Kishtwar Attraction
• Other Places
• Prominent Yatras
• Adventure Tourism

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Other interesting places to visit

Vimal Nag

Vimal Nag locally called Bimal Nag is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The idol of Lord Vishnu seated on Sheshnag, having 'Shankh' in one hand and 'Chakra' in the other hand and made of rare black stone is a source of attraction for the devotees from the times immemorial. The Vimal Naag temple stands in the centre of a vast lush green and plain meadow amidst a grove of tall Deodar trees. A spring flows underneath the idol of Lord Vishnu and forms a small pond in front of the temple. The temple premises have an eye-catching beauty. Devotees and the nature-lovers throng this place throughout the year. However, from past 3-4 years, a yatra to Vimal Nag temple is undertaken which originates from 'Neel Kanth Mahadev Temple Kishtwar. Worship of serpents and springs, both associated with Lord Shiva and Vishnu is the special feature on the day of Naag-Panchmi. The practice of cleansing springs and Lakes, a great characteristic of Nag culture is not limited to cleaning and worshiping only, but a contribution to pollution free atmosphere, embedded in the psyche of every Indian. Pilgrims consider it auspicious to take part in the cleansing work.

Bhandarkoot

Situated at a distance of about 12KM from Town on Kishtwar – Sinthan Road. The word Bhandarkoot means Store Rooms. An old fort which is in ruins today on a Hillock, seems to have been constructed for storing grains in peace times. A prominent Shrine of Hazrat Zain ud Din Wali is here. It is the confluence place of two rivers namely Chenab and Mariv Soder. Legend has it that Lord Rama of the Ramayana Epic perform last rites of Jatayu. The majority of Hindu population of Kishtwar Town throngs this place on eve of Baisakhi for Holy dip in Chenab.

Kalamsater

A lush green meadow surrounded by Deodar trees lies just 10Km towards Northeast of Town. It offers a best place for a Trekker or Camper to enjoy Nature in isolation.

Raghu Nath Mandir & Shiv Mandir

Raghu Nath Mandir dedicated to Lord Rama is 600 years old and is still in original form & Shape. Janmashtami & Ramnavmi Yatras which are started from Gori Shankar Mandir culminates at Ragunath Mandir. In early times some prominent Muslims were also part and parcel of these festivals.

Shiv Mandir was constructed during Dogra rule and is now developed and given a morden look. Devotees from every walk of life pay their obeisance.

Shrine of Shah Abdal Sb.

Located about 3.5Km from Kishtwar at Dugga village is the shrine of Shah Abdal Shaib, one of the close associate of Hz. Shah Farid ud Din, he was formally the rular of Sindh. Every year Urs is celebrated on 20th Harr (Bikrimi).

Qila Top

1.5Km from Main Bus stand, Near the Shrine of Shah Farid ud Din (RA) is Qila Top on a hillock where a Fort and Palace exited during the rule of the Raja’s of Kishtwar. As the Sikhs took possession of Kishtwar, it was razed to ground, with the passage of time the Palace and fort became non-existence excepting the Throne made of Stone.

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Art & Craft:

Kishtwari craft like handmade Woolen Blankets, Shawls, Gaba are famous artistic work of this mountainous region. Beside this, the Bina work of wheat & Paddy grass is also famous and a rare kind of Art & Craft. The centuries old Bakerwals Silver Jewelry made by Local Jewelers are also famous among Outsiders and Tourists.

Fairs & Festivals:

Bedside the annual Urs & Yatras the other festivals & fairs which are celebrated in this region are MAGHA MELA as mark of jubilation of Farmers, GULABGARH MELA a festival for inviting the blessings of Shakti Mata is celebrated in Padder, LOSAR which is celebrated by Buddhists of Padder, KANCHOWTH a festival of Hindu married Women, BISOU or BAISAKHI.

The Music & Folk lore of Kishtwari is Kashmiri , Indo- Tibetan & Paddri is famous. The gaddi dance form of Padder is unique in Sate. Whereas Tibetan Dance form are performed on various fairs & festivals by Buddhist of Padder.

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USP:

Kishtwar (Padder) is famous for rare Blue Sapphire is known as the king of Sapphires. Its deep blue colour with velvety touch resembles to the neck of Peacock, which provides the only discernible characteristic of the stone from rest of the world. The Saffron which is cultivated in Mandal area of Kishtwar is best quality produced in India, It is handpicked and sun dried to give it more aroma and quality. The wild Morchella (Gucchi) & wild Cumin (Zeera) are some rare kind of natural produce in Kishtwar.

Kishtwar is the major Mountaineering Trekking destination in India surrounded by incredible number of Himalayan Peaks like Bhramha I 6416 Mtrs, Bhramha II 6424 Mtrs, Shiv Ling 6000 Mtrs, Crooked finger 5630 Mtrs. Flat Top 6100 Mtrs, Sickel Moon 5575 Mtrs. and High Altitude Passes. Kishtwar is famous for its Trans Himalayan Treks leading to Kashmir, Suru, Zanskar, Panikhar etc.

The High Altitude National Park with an area of 2100 sq km of Kishtwar located in Dacchan The area lies in the Central Crystalline belt of the Great Himalayas and is famous for Snow Leopard, Ibex, Musk Dear and Himalayan Bear etc.